cuomo a democrat and new jerseygovernorchrischristiearepublic originally told the white house they wanted $79 billion just for new york and new jersey. the white house instead asked congress for this $60.4 billion. the white house office of management and budget sent a letter to speaker of the house john boehner to say that this $60.4 billion would be, quote: funds necessary to finance a needed recovery effort and to help the region prepare for future challenges, including future storms, severe storms and coastal flooding as well as impact associated with a changing climate. governor cuomo and governor christie thanked president obama for all this money in a statement, this pledged money and the senators from their states chuck schumer, frank lautenberg, kristen gillibrand all democrats said this $60.4 billion is a good start but they acknowledged that congress has other things on its plate and this money is not all guaranteed. some members they think might push for some spending cuts to offset all this new spending. they said, quote: this is going to be a tough fight in the